Malaysia's PM Anwar calls for restraint in renewed Thai-Cambodian clashes

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint and maintain open channels of communication following renewed border clashes between the two countries.

Anwar also offered Malaysia’s support for attempts to restore calm and avert further incidents.

“The renewed fighting risks unravelling the careful work that has gone into stabilizing relations between the two neighbours,” said Anwar in a Facebook post this morning.

Anwar played a key role, along with US President Donald Trump, in brokering a peace accord signed between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur in late October.

“I am deeply concerned by reports of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces along their common border. I offer my condolences to the families of those who have been killed or injured,” he said.

Anwar noted that Thailand and Cambodia are close partners of Malaysia and key members of ASEAN.

“We urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint, maintain open channels of communication, and make full use of the mechanisms in place. Malaysia stands ready to support steps that can help restore calm and avert further incidents,” he said.

He said ASEAN cannot afford to see long-standing disputes slip into cycles of confrontation.

“The immediate priority is to halt the fighting, safeguard civilians, and return to a diplomatic path supported by international law and the neighbourly spirit on which ASEAN depends,” he said.

Anwar also shared a photo of the Thai and Cambodian leaders after they signed a joint declaration concerning their border conflicts in Kuala Lumpur, in the presence of Anwar as ASEAN Chair and US President Donald Trump in October.